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Bresnan puts hand up for Adelaide Test

Greg Buckle

Three years ago, Australia were at level pegging going into the Melbourne Test before Tim Bresnan returned to England's side.

The burly quick picked up a six-wicket haul, putting England back on track to win the last two Ashes Tests and the series 3-1.

Trailing 1-0 going into Thursday's second Test in Adelaide, England have the opportunity to bring back their lucky charm.

Bresnan's 21-Test career includes 15 victories.

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Out of action at the top level because of a back injury since the fourth Ashes Test in the UK in August, Bresnan has been added to England's squad following a first-innings effort of 4-31 and an unbeaten half-century for the England Performance Programme against a Queensland 2nd XI last week.

England coach Andy Flower was prepared to take Bresnan along on the Australian tour in the hope that he could play in Adelaide, or perhaps later in the series.

Bresnan says he's unsure if he'll get a game on Thursday.

His cheeky grin however might have given him away.

The 28-year-old insists he's no risk on a flat Adelaide deck which can be tough going for quicks, as Australia's James Pattinson found when he broke down last summer.

"I'd be letting myself down if I was picked and I wasn't ready to play," Bresnan said on Tuesday.

"It takes a great deal of honesty to say you're not (fit) and I respect that from anyone who does, but I think I'm ready to play."

Bresnan says his 26 overs of bowling in Brisbane is enough, added to a heavy workload in the nets.

"I bowled a lot - a lot - of overs in the nets. Building up to full fitness takes a long while, so I do feel ready," he said.

Bresnan, who famously declared the MCG wasn't a patch on his home ground at Headingley, says his cheery outlook might help boost the side.

"The heavy defeat we took a couple of weeks ago did dent us. But we're a group of guys that, especially when our backs are against the wall, come out fighting.

"We've done it time and time again.

"Especially when we're under pressure and in a corner; that's when we show our mental fortitude."

Bresnan's return is regarded as a strong hint he'll be rushed into the side at the expense of fellow seamer Chris Tremlett on Thursday, although the tourists could be also looking at recalling spinner Monty Panesar.

Bresnan has claimed 67 wickets at 32.10 in 21 Tests and has a batting average of 30.05.